Snow removal and deicing device for windshield wiper

Abstract

A windshield wiper snow removal and deicing device raises a windshield wiper blade away from a windshield, upon which the blade is otherwise maintained in contacting engagement therewith by a wiper biasing spring connected to the wiper arm, such that the blade falls down and impacts the windshield to remove snow and ice accumulated thereon while wiping on the windshield. In a first embodiment, a motor connected to the arm rotates a flap connected thereto to raise the blade above the windshield. In a second embodiment, a cover for a casing attached to the windshield is raised into an idle deployment configuration for engaging the arm and raising the blade above the windshield. In a third embodiment, a body on the arm has a pivoting member to engage an engagement stop on the windshield, with the pivoting member pivoting into a vertical configuration to lift the blade off the windshield.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Benefit of U.S. Provisional Application for Patent Ser. No. 60 / 638,318, filed on May 23, 2005, is hereby claimed.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates in general to windshield wipers, more specifically to a snow removal and deicing device for a windshield wiper and mountable thereon.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Driving in inclement winter weather is a hazardous proposition for a wide variety of reasons, not-the least being the need for clear and unobstructed visibility. Blizzards, ice storms and the like induce a good deal of stress to the motor vehicle driver that is only increased by a lack of a clear view of the road ahead. To some extent windshield wipers do a commendable job of keeping the windscreen clear but in extreme weather situations they tend to become clogged with a build-up of ice and frozen rain thereby reducing or eliminating their intended cleaning efficiency. In such instances an imprudent driver ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]An advantage of the present invention is that the snow removal and deicing device for windshield wiper is activated by an electric motor located in the housing of the device.

[0010]Another advantage of the present invention is that the snow removal and deicing device for windshield wiper functions in tandem with the swiping action of the windshield wiper assembly.

[0011]Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the snow removal and deicing device for windshield wiper automatically raises and releases the windshield wiper assembly allowing said assembly to snap back against the windshield resulting in the dislodgment of built-up ice / snow on impact.

[0012]Another advantage of the present invention is that the snow removal and deicing device for windshield wiper allows for the safe dislodgment of built-up ice from the wiper assembly while the vehicle is still in motion.

[0013]Still a further advantage of the present invention is that the snow removal and deicing device for windshield wiper can be mounted on conventional windshield wiper assemblies thereby precluding the need for the re-tooling said assemblies.

[0014]Still another advantage of the present invention is that the snow removal and deicing device for windshield wiper is easily retrofitted and adaptable to any size of winshield wiper blade.

Problems solved by technology

Driving in inclement winter weather is a hazardous proposition for a wide variety of reasons, not-the least being the need for clear and unobstructed visibility.

Blizzards, ice storms and the like induce a good deal of stress to the motor vehicle driver that is only increased by a lack of a clear view of the road ahead.

To some extent windshield wipers do a commendable job of keeping the windscreen clear but in extreme weather situations they tend to become clogged with a build-up of ice and frozen rain thereby reducing or eliminating their intended cleaning efficiency.

This practice is clearly both impractical and dangerous as the attention of the driver is distracted from the primary task of driving safely and responsibly thus making him a hazard to both himself and others.

The potential danger existing in this solution is that in stopping and exiting the vehicle in extreme weather conditions, the driver puts himself and his vehicle at risk from fellow motorists driving in the same extreme conditions.

Although the above apparatus can operate at any position of the wiper blade along its wiping travel path during the use of the wiper, it is relatively complex to install by retrofit on existing wiper blades since it requires special tools and modification of the existing wiper mounting bearing housing, especially in order not to interfere with the existing mechanism allowing for the wiper blade to be manually raised during cleaning and / or maintenance thereof.

Images